As we have already seen, stress has a great relationship with behavioral problems that our pet may show, and if we are not careful with it, we can lead our animal to a very complicated situation, which without adequate help can turn into a serious pathology or something chronic.
At times, the source of stress may be an unmet need and at other times reflect the emotions that we project onto the animal. Today I bring you the entrance Educating on an emotional level: Stress V, where we will see where the stress comes from.
In a previous post, in Educating on an emotional level: Stress IV We saw what were the causes of stress on a physical level and some of its possible consequences. Today we are going to see what the reasons are. And for this we need to know what needs our dog has.
Motivation is the fuel for the brain. And this motivation is marked by an objective, which is marked by a need. Necessity is the mother of all inventions (yes, I'm saying today). Therefore, if we are attentive and have our dog's needs covered, it is much less likely that our dog will experience this stress.
The basic needs of our dog are 11. From these 11 basic needs we can begin to clearly elucidate which is the source, the focus of stress of our animal. These needs are:
- To breathe. The power to breathe is a basic need in any living being. Can your dog breathe normally? Is there something preventing it?
- Hydration: Being able to drink clean water is a basic need of our colleagues.
Does your dog have access to clean water normally and at any time? - Feeding. The food that we give to our animal must have the necessary nutrients for it to carry out its daily life. The feed is a bad diet because of how it is manufactured. Its nutritional value is zero.
This topic is important. If the dog does not have quality food, he will get stressed. Does your dog have access to food? Do you have a healthy diet? Do you get the nutrients you need for your day to day from your food? - Urinate and defecate. Another of the most basic needs. Our dog does not like to piss and shit at home. If he does, it is a sign that there is a stress problem behind it, such as a hydric imbalance, which is motivated by scolding him when urinating inside the house. Are you guaranteed time and space a day to relieve yourself? Do you go out regularly so you can relieve yourself?
- Sleep and Wake. Your dog must have a balance between the hours he sleeps and the hours he is awake. Both sleeping a lot and sleeping little is a sign of stress. Do you sleep normally? Do you have very intense or very short sleep cycles?
- Temperature. Your dog has a body temperature of 38,5 degrees Celsius. They have to keep that
temperature to be comfortable. Does your dog get cold? Is it hot? - Safety. Have a safe place, where you can easily access and feel safe, your place at home, where no one will bother you. Does your dog have such a place in the house? Do you have a place for him?
- Affection / Contact. Like all mammals, dogs have the need for physical contact, for displays of affection, affection, and love. So much so, that in human beings there is a disease called Marasmus, which arises from the lack of affection in their childhood. Do you show your love to your dog? Do you spend time a day touching him?
- Curiosity. Dogs are curious animals by nature. He has to be able to approach things or individuals of any species from an early age. This curiosity, this interest, it is necessary that you spend it, since it is one of the tools you have to learn. Is it possible for you to satisfy your curiosity? It's curious? Does it approach using smell?
- Communication. Our dogs are social animals. That means that they interact within groups such as families or herds to share experiences of all kinds. Is your dog communicative? Do you approach members of your species normally?
- Game / Exercise. Daily play and exercise are one of the most often ignored dog needs. We do not usually realize how tremendously necessary it is for our pets to go for a run every day for a while. Does your dog play? Do you have a guaranteed time and space daily for play and exercise?
If our dog had these basic needs covered, and still, If there is still some kind of pathology in it, we would have to look towards the only two sides that we have left in order to understand the animaHe, one is his childhood and the other ourselves. In the next post, I will talk about it.
A greeting and thank you very much.